Reflections on Christmas; Daily Devotional #4 - “A Star and a Dream”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they (The Magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." (Matthew 2:1-16)
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Can you imagine being all warm and snuggled in your bed with visions of gold, frankincense, and myrrh dancing in your head, when suddenly you are instructed to take your wife and child and leave for Egypt? Poor Joseph must have been very confused by this whole series of events! One moment he’s watching his precious Son play with the strangers from the east, then the next moment he’s packing everyone up to escape town. With no time to notify the utilities department, or to get back his deposit, or to even notify the post office of his forwarding address, he packed up his little family and moved in the middle of the night. Sure, this was all very confusing, but the most important piece of Joseph’s saga was that he was obedient! What little we do know about this man is very impressive! Apparently, he never had to be told twice to do anything. On both occasions of divine dreams, he woke up and did exactly as he was instructed. Good man! Not so for King Herod, I’m afraid. He was a very bad man, intent on killing any rival, and ruling by means of deceit and trickery. Even though he was surrounded by “wise men”, the Magi outwitted him and he was furious! In spite of all of his power and authority, he was still outsmarted by the God of Israel! Brings a smile to your face doesn’t it? And a great deal of peace to our hearts! As we watch nations in our own world fall victim to evil, deceitful men, we can look back on this simple story and know that God is in control! (Proverbs 21:1) Our God’s weapons are mightier, and His storehouses overflowing with all the resources needed to win the final battle! So rest well, sweet saint, and let no fear invade your heart, because our God reigns!
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): We must place our faith in God alone, and stand with our dear brother David, as he penned: Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations! (Psalm 33:8-11)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Isaiah 9:6-7; John 18:37; Luke 23:38
CD
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All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.